U.S. patent application number 12/276992 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-18 for function switch methods and systems.
Invention is credited to Fu-Chiang CHOU.
Application Number | 20090153522 12/276992 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40752576 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090153522 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHOU; Fu-Chiang |
June 18, 2009 |
FUNCTION SWITCH METHODS AND SYSTEMS
Abstract
Function switch methods and systems for use in an electronic
device having a touch-sensitive device are provided. First, the
touch-sensitive device is touched by an input tool. Then, it is
determined to switch between functions according to a force of the
input tool touching the touch-sensitive device.
Inventors: |
CHOU; Fu-Chiang; (Taoyuan
County, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Family ID: |
40752576 |
Appl. No.: |
12/276992 |
Filed: |
November 24, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/175 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/048 20130101;
G06F 3/0488 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/175 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/042 20060101
G06F003/042 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 14, 2007 |
TW |
96147925 |
Claims
1. A function switch method for use in an electronic device having
a touch-sensitive device, comprising: touching the touch-sensitive
device by an input tool; and determining to switch between a first
function and a second function according to a force of the input
tool touching the touch-sensitive device.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: detecting the force;
determining whether the force is greater than a threshold; and when
the force is greater than the threshold, switching to the second
function from the first function.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein after the second function is
switched to, the force is not detected, and when the input tool
stops touching the touch-sensitive device, a performance of the
second function is stopped.
4. The method of claim 2, further comprising: when the force is not
greater than the threshold, keeping a performance of the first
function; and when the force is greater than the threshold,
displaying an indication mark in a display unit.
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising when the input tool
stops touching the touch-sensitive device, canceling the indication
mark.
6. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of detecting the force
is achieved by detecting a pressure corresponding to the force on
the touch-sensitive device, wherein when the pressure is greater
than a predefined pressure, the force is determined to he greater
than the threshold.
7. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of detecting the force
is achieved by detecting a touch area of the input tool touching
the touch-sensitive device, wherein when the touch area is greater
than a predefined area, the force is determined to be greater than
the threshold.
8. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of detecting the force
is achieved by detecting a total current value generated when the
input tool touches the touch-sensitive device, wherein when the
total current value is greater than a predefined current value, the
force is determined to be greater than the threshold.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first function is a selection
function, and the second function is a panning function.
10. A function switch system for use in an electronic device,
comprising: a touch-sensitive device to be touched with an input
tool; and a processing unit coupled to the touch-sensitive device,
determining to switch between a first function and a second
function according to a force of the input tool touching the
touch-sensitive device.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the processing unit further
detects the force, and determines whether the force is greater than
a threshold, and when the force is greater than the threshold,
switches to the second function from the first function.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein after the second function is
switched to, the processing unit does not detect the force, and
when the input tool stops touching the touch-sensitive device, the
processing unit stops a performance of the second function.
13. The system of claim 11, wherein when the force is not greater
than the threshold, the processing unit continues a performance of
the first function, and when the force is greater than the
threshold, the processing unit further displays an indication mark
in a display unit.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein when the input tool stops
touching the touch-sensitive device, the processing unit further
cancels the indication mark.
15. The system of claim 11, wherein the detection of the force is
achieved by detecting a pressure corresponding to the force on the
touch-sensitive device, wherein when the pressure is greater than a
predefined pressure, the force is determined to be greater than the
threshold.
16. The system of claim 11, wherein the detection of the force is
achieved by detecting a touch area of the input tool touching the
touch-sensitive device, wherein when the touch area is greater than
a predefined area, the force is determined to be greater than the
threshold.
17. The system of claim 11, wherein the detection of the force is
achieved by detecting a total current value generated when the
input tool touches the touch-sensitive device, wherein when the
total current value is greater than a predefined current value, the
force is determined to be greater than the threshold.
18. The system of claim 10, wherein the first function is a
selection function, and the second function is a panning
function.
19. A machine-readable storage medium comprising a computer
program, which, when executed, causes a device to perform a
function switch method, and the method comprising: detecting a
touch on a touch-sensitive device by an input tool; and determining
to switch between a first function and a second function according
to a force of the input tool touching the touch-sensitive device.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application claims priority of Taiwan Patent
Application No. 096147925, filed on Dec. 14, 2007, the entirety of
which is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The disclosure relates generally to function switch methods
and systems, and, more particularly to function switch methods and
systems that switch functions according to a touch force on a
touch-sensitive device.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Recently, portable devices, such as handheld devices, have
become more and more technically advanced and multifunctional. For
example, a handheld device may have e-mail message capabilities, an
advanced address book management system, a media playback system,
and various other functions. Due to increased convenience and
functions of the devices, these devices have become necessities of
life.
[0006] Handheld devices may provide input devices for users to
control applications and/or functions. For example, a handheld
device may be equipped with a touch-sensitive device for users to
perform related operations. Users can slide their fingers on the
touch-sensitive device, and accordingly perform related operations
for respective functions. Generally, when users want to switch
between functions, they must repeatedly unfold, move, and select
specific items on menus to achieve the objective of switching
functions. The aforementioned operations for switching between the
various functions are complicated, inconvenient, and time-consuming
for users. In some situations, more time is spent on switching
functions than that on performing an actual operation of the
function.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Function switch methods and systems are provided.
[0008] In an embodiment of a function switch method for use in an
electronic device having a touch-sensitive device, the
touch-sensitive device is touched by an input tool. Then, it is
determined to switch between functions according to a force of the
input tool touching the touch-sensitive device.
[0009] An embodiment of a function switch system comprises a
touch-sensitive device and a processing unit. The touch-sensitive
device is touched by an input tool. The processing unit is coupled
to the touch-sensitive device, and determines to switch between
functions according to a force of the input tool touching the
touch-sensitive device.
[0010] Function switch methods and systems may take the form of a
program code embodied in a tangible media. When the program code is
loaded into and executed by a machine, the machine becomes an
apparatus for practicing the disclosed method.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The invention will become more fully understood by referring
to the following detailed description with reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of
a function switch system of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of
a portable device having a touch-sensitive device of the
invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a function switch
method of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a function switch
method of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation
interface in a selection function; and
[0017] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation
interface in a panning function.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Function switch methods and systems are provided.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of
a function switch system of the invention. The function switch
system can be suitable for use in an electronic device, such as a
portable device comprising a handheld device, such as a media
player, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a GPS (Global
Positioning System) device, a smartphone, and a mobile phone.
[0020] The function switch system 100 comprises a touch-sensitive
device 110, a display unit 120, a storage unit 130, and a
processing unit 140. The touch-sensitive device 110 comprises a
touch-sensitive surface having at least one sensor in at least one
dimension to detect the contact and movement of an input tool, such
as a finger or a stylus thereon. The display unit 120 displays
operation interfaces corresponding to various functions and related
information. In some embodiments, the touch-sensitive device 110
and the display unit 120 can be integrated as a touch panel 210 set
on a portable device 200, as shown in FIG. 2. The storage unit 130
comprises at least a first function 131 and a second function 132.
In some embodiments, respective functions can provide operations in
different modes for an application. For example, functions may
comprise a selection function and a panning function. Additionally,
the storage unit 130 may store related information, and provide the
information to the display unit 120 for display. The processing
unit 140 performs the function switch methods of the application,
which will be discussed further in the following paragraphs.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a function switch
method of the invention. The function switch method is used for an
electronic device having a touch-sensitive device.
[0022] In step S310, the touch-sensitive device is touched by an
input tool, such as a finger or a stylus. Then, in step S320, it is
determined to switch between functions according to a force of the
input tool touching the touch-sensitive device.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a function switch
method of the invention. The function switch method is used for an
electronic device having a touch-sensitive device.
[0024] In step S410, a touch of an input tool on the
touch-sensitive device is detected, and in step S420, a force of
the input tool touching the touch-sensitive device is detected.
Then, in step S430, it is determined whether the force is greater
than a threshold. It is understood that the detection of the force
of the input tool touching the touch-sensitive device can be
achieved in various manners. In some embodiments, a pressure
corresponding to the force on the touch-sensitive device can be
detected. When the pressure is greater than a predefined pressure,
the force is greater than the threshold. In some embodiments, a
touch area of the input tool touching the touch-sensitive device
can be detected. When the touch area is greater than a predefined
area, the force is greater than the threshold. In some embodiments,
a total current value generated when the input tool touches the
touch-sensitive device can be detected. When the total current
value is greater than a predefined current value, the force is
greater than the threshold. It is noted that the above detections
of the force of the input tool touching the touch-sensitive device
are examples of the application, and the application is not limited
thereto. When the force is not greater than the threshold (No in
step S430), in step S440, a first function, such as the selection
function is performed. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating
an operation interface in a selection function. In the selection
function, users can use the input tool to slide on the
touch-sensitive device, thus to select texts from the operation
interface 500, such as the highlighted text block 510 in FIG. 5.
When the force is greater than the threshold (Yes in step S430), in
step S450, an indication mark is displayed in the display unit, and
in steps S460 and S470, a second function, such as the panning
function is switched to and performed. FIG. 6 is a schematic
diagram illustrating an operation interface in a panning function.
As shown in FIG. 6, an indication mark 610 representing the current
function is the second function is shown on the operation interface
600. In the panning function, users can use the input tool to slide
on the touch-sensitive device, thus to move the entire operation
interface 600. In step S480, it is determined whether the input
tool stops touching the touch-sensitive device (the input tool
leaves the surface of the touch-sensitive device). If the input
tool does not stop touching the touch-sensitive device (No in step
8480), the procedure returns to step S470. If the input tool stops
touching the touch-sensitive device (Yes in step S480), in step
S490, the indication mark is cancelled, and the procedure is
completed. In this embodiment, when the second function is
performed, the force of the input tool touching the touch-sensitive
device is not detected. When the input tool stops touching the
touch-sensitive device, the indication mark is cancelled. When the
input tool touches the touch-sensitive device again, the force of
the input tool touching the touch-sensitive device during the most
recent touch is further detected, and it is determined to perform
the first function or the second function accordingly.
[0025] It is understood that, in some embodiments, the electronic
device can initially perform the first function, and then proceed
with the detection of the touch corresponding to the input tool.
After the second function is switched to from the first function,
when the input tool stops touching the touch-sensitive device, the
first function can be directly switched to from the second
function. Further, in some embodiments, when the first function is
performed, the detection of the force of the input tool touching
the touch-sensitive device can be continuously detected. It is
determined whether the force is greater than the threshold. If the
force is greater than the threshold, the second function can be
immediately switched to from the first function. Additionally, in
some embodiments, when the second function is performed, the
detection of the force of the input tool touching the
touch-sensitive device can be continuously detected. It is
determined whether the force is greater than the threshold. If the
force is not greater than the threshold, the first function can be
immediately switched to from the second function.
[0026] Therefore, the function switch methods and systems of the
application can switch functions according to the touch force on
the touch-sensitive device.
[0027] Function switch methods and systems, or certain aspects or
portions thereof may take the form of a program code (i.e.,
executable instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as floppy
diskettes, CD-ROMS, hard drives, or any other machine-readable
storage medium, wherein, when the program code is loaded into and
executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine thereby
becomes an apparatus for practicing the methods. The methods may
also be embodied in the form of a program code transmitted over
some transmission medium, such as electrical wiling or cabling,
through fiber optics, or via any other form of transmission,
wherein, when the program code is received and loaded into and
executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an
apparatus for practicing the disclosed methods. When implemented on
a general-purpose processor, the program code combines with the
processor to provide a unique apparatus that operates analogously
to application specific logic circuits.
[0028] While the invention has been described by way of example and
in terms of preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited thereto. Those who are skilled in this
technology can still make various alterations and modifications
without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention.
Therefore, the scope of the present invention shall be defined and
protected by the following claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *